Question

Which statement explains how the red scare of the 1920s and the red scare of the 1950s were similar?

a) during both periods, congress passed laws restricting the civil liberties of american citizens that met with overall public support
b)during both periods,immigration restrictions were tightened because of fears of foreign influence
c)during both periods, the communist party grew significantly in size despite the govenrments anti communist efforts
d)during both periods,there were numerous government employees involved in selling national security secrets to the soviet union

Answer 1

I'd probably go with (A). In both times, laws and regulations were passed either on the state or federal level that addressed the potential real or imagined threats communists or anarchists could be blamed for.

For example, in the first Red Scare in the 20s, several states could jail people based merely on their suspected political leanings. In the 50s, the McCarran Internal Security Act was passed targeting communists or communist sympathizers, even if they were only suspected of being one, trampling civil liberties. Truman tried to veto it but Congress actually overrode him on this law.

Answer 2

That's what I was thinking too. Thanks!